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Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2002;32(1): 35-41.
Effect of Bcl-2 Expression and Telomerase Activity on Apoptosis of the Brain Tumors.
Choong Hyun Kim, Jin Hwan Cheong, Koang Hum Bak, Jae Min Kim, Yong Ko, Suck Jun Oh
Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE
The regulation of apoptosis is influenced by various gene products including Bcl-2, which has been known to be anti-apoptotic. In addition, telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein that synthesizes telomeres, has been detected in many human neoplasms. In the current study, we present the anti-apoptotic effect by Bcl-2 expression and telomerase activity in the human brain tumors.
METHODS
A total of 76 cases of surgically resected brain tumors were studied. Telomerase activity was detected by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay and Bcl-2 protein was examined by the Western blot analysis. Apoptosis of the specimens was also detected by DNA fragmentation analysis.
RESULTS
Telomerase activity and apoptosis were detected in 65.8%(50 of 76) and 21.1%(16 of 76) respectively. Telomerase activity was correlated to apoptosis inversely(p<0.05). Bcl-2 was also expressed in 23.7%(18 of 76) and apoptosis detected in 11.1%(2 of 18) with Bcl-2. In 18 cases with Bcl-2, telomerase activity was expressed in 77.8%(14 of 18) and apoptosis was not induced in 85.7%(12 of 14) with telomerase activity. However, apoptosis was not detected in 4 cases with Bcl-2 and negative telomerase activity. Their difference of anti-apoptotic numbers between two groups was significant(p<0.05). In 36 cases with negative Bcl-2 and positive telomerase activity, apoptosis was not detected in 72.2%(26 of 36). In 22 cases without Bcl-2 and telomerase activity, apoptosis was not detected in 81.8%(18 of 22). Their difference between two groups was not significant statistically.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that apoptosis may be modulated by telomerase activity of the human brain tumors with Bcl-2. And also, we may expect that apoptosis can be induced effectively by the inhibition of telomerase activity and Bcl-2 in the brain tumors.
Key Words: Telomerase; Bcl-2; Apoptosis; Brain neoplasms
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